Health & Wellness

Articles

Make Back-to-School Better with Healthy and Fun Bento Boxes

Bento boxes are great, no matter what. Common in Japan, and now popular around the globe, ‘bento’ is a single portion takeout meal, perfect for school lunches or for the office. Traditionally a bento contains rice, meat or fish, and vegetables. Some people turn a bento into an art form by arranging food in such a way that it looks like a popular character from Japanese anime, manga, or video games. This style is called “kyaraben.” Another style, which Americans are more likely to be familiar with is called “oekakiben,” or picture bento. With oekakiben, food is arranged to look...

From Roast Chicken Leftovers to Healthy Lunches

One of the best reasons to roast a chicken is for the leftovers. Why? Because there are so many versatile ways to make leftover roast chicken into new dishes that offer new flavors from one meal to the next. Here are three ways to turn your leftover roast chicken into three different dishes, perfect for box lunches.
Chicken Club Salad. If you’re leftover roast chicken is still in big pieces cut into ½-inch chunks. Place chicken into a large bowl. Add chopped tomatoes, chopped red onion, chopped celery, mayo, and just a dash of white-wine vinegar. Sprinkle with cooked bacon....

Healthy Food on a Stick Ideas for Your Next Party

Aside from corn dogs (Because who hasn't seen or eaten a corn dog?) food on a stick is both fun and festive. And because of the fun presentation, food on a stick is a great way to get people to eat healthier, even if it's just in the form of nibbles.
Here are three fun food on a stick ideas.
Caprese Salad on a Stick. With just four ingredients, you can present 'Well would you look at that!' appetizers that will have everyone reaching for them. Thread 1 cherry tomato, 1 small ball of fresh mozzarella, 1 basil leaf, 1...

Meatless Monday Gazpacho

During the dogs days of summer it’s hard to turn down a bowl of cold gazpacho. In fact, gazpacho may just be summer’s best cool-down meal. And can we talk about the nutritional contents of gazpacho? Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins C and K. Red bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamins A, B6, and C. Cucumbers are an excellent source of molybdenum and vitamin K. And jalapenos are an excellent source of vitamin E.
Meatless Monday Gazpacho
Ingredients
3 pounds tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped
2 red bell peppers, seeded and coarsely chopped
2 cucumbers, peeled,...

Eight Heart-Healthy Diets for Consideration

If you’re considering a diet that helps to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, or triglycerides and lose weight, you might want to consider one of these eight heart-healthy diets.
Anti-Inflammatory Diet – This diet, based on the ever-popular Mediterranean diet, helps to reduce inflammation, in turn helping to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease. Created by Andrew Weil, the anti-inflammatory diet also helps boost mental and physical health.
Biggest Loser Diet – Following one of several Biggest Loser books, ranging from short to long, this a great diet choice for starting your weight-loss journey. And with a variety...

Anti-Inflammatory Diet Q&A

Before starting any diet it’s always nice to have a little bit of information about it, from the approach to the diet to the types of foods that are allowed. Here are some basic Q&As for the Anti-Inflammatory Diet.
Who created the Anti-Inflammatory Diet? Dr. Andrew Weil
What is the approach to the Anti-Inflammatory Diet? Dr. Weil believes that some foods trigger or fight systemic inflammation. Inflammation can result in Alzheimer’s, cancer, or heart disease. Through foods rich in fiber and foods that contain healthy fats and with limited animal protein (other than oily fish) this diet boosts mental and...

Biggest Loser Diet Q&A

Before starting any diet it’s always nice to have a little bit of information about it, from the approach to the diet to the types of foods that are allowed. Here are some basic Q&As for the Biggest Loser Diet.
Who created the Biggest Loser Diet? This diet was created by The Biggest Loser experts.
What is the approach to the Biggest Loser Diet? Use common sense when it comes to eating and exercising. Stop eating the wrong foods and start eating the right foods. Stop sitting around and start moving.
What is the goal of the Biggest Loser Diet?...

Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet Q&A

Before starting any diet it’s always nice to have a little bit of information about it, from the approach to the diet to the types of foods that are allowed. Here are some basic Q&As for the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet.
Who created the DASH Diet? The DASH Diet was developed by Maria Heller, MS, RD.
What is the approach to the DASH Diet? To focus on foods that contain beneficial nutrients like calcium, fiber, protein, and potassium.
What is the goal of the DASH Diet? To prevent and reduce hypertension, or high blood pressure.
What are...

Engine 2 Diet Q&A

Before starting any diet it’s always nice to have a little bit of information about it, from the approach to the diet to the types of foods that are allowed. Here are some basic Q&As for the Engine 2 Diet.
Who created the Engine 2 Diet? Rip Esselstyn, a former world-class professional tri-athlete and the son, grandson and great-grandson of renowned physicians.
What is the approach to the Engine 2 Diet? A plant-based diet provides the body with fats, nutrients, and proteins, whereas animal products threaten to harm the body with saturated fat, which clogs arteries. This vegan diet requires...

In Season

Matters of the heart are always important, but especially so during the month of February. Not only is there Valentine's Day to think about, February is also American Heart Month. This is a good time to evaluate your food choices and the impact they may have on your heart. Fresh, in season fruits and vegetables are among the best choices you can make for your heart health.